[.uk] Champagne (Classic Wine Library) (ISBN 057117468X)

Book Description:
Just in time to celebrate the millennium: the definitive guide to champagne, the king of wines. This fascinating book covers all aspects of Champagne: the region, the history of the wine, and the development of the Champagne method. Maggie McNie starts with the prehistory of the region, encompassing information on the geology and climate, and goes on to document Champagne's beginnings as a still wine; she explains how the appointment of a young monk, Dom Pierre Prignon, as cellarer at the Abbey of Hautvillers was key to Champagne's evolution into the sparkling wine that we know today. McNie also provides an overview of the various Champagne makers, from their beginnings as small growers in the nineteenth century to the preeminence of the major houses, such as Krug, Mot et Chandon, and Veuve Clicquot, today. In addition, she includes useful notes on the vintages for each year since 1945 and offers invaluable tips on selecting and storing Champagne, giving the Champagne lover all the information he or she needs to fully enjoy-and appreciate-this unique wine.

The Ultimate Reference on Champagne:
While there are many books about Champagne and sparkling wines in general, describing the bubbles and colors, there are very few that go into the history and background of this most famous celebratory drink. That's where "Champagne" comes in! This book begins with the geology of the Champagne region, located northeast of Paris. It describes the chalk beds and limestone that forms the basis of the soil, and how these conditions are perfect for the grapes that make up Champagne. Next, "Champagne" goes into the early history of the region, describing the various groups that fought over the soil, explaining how the conversion to Christianity of its early holders led to foundations of monastaries. These monastaries becames the curators of the vineyards, developing vineyard techniques and blending systems. The important developments necessary for a sparkling wine are covered - the thicker bottles, the cork to seal the bottle, and of course Dom Perignon, the blind monk whose keen palate and in depth knowledge led to the beginning of a reputation for this region. The laws over the years are covered in depth, with histories of the regulations given. The book describes purning systems and vineyard techniques, explaining how the grapes are grown. It lists the famous "Champagne widows" who furthered the cause of many wineries here. The appendices list the members of the Union of Wine Producers, gives the Bollinger Charter of ethics and Quality, describes the seven orders in Champagne, provides a vintage chart, and gives a full list of all premiere crus. This would definitely be the book for someone who has already gone through the "introduction to Champagne" books, and now wants an in depth history of the region, its geology, its policital background and legislative situations.

Prost Maggie!:
As the owner of grapeseek.com I'm pleased to give this book the two thumbs up! It's a delightful book...and the only one I'll ever need in reference to champagne and the Champagne region of France. It contains maps, lists of the wine producer's unions, history of the region and growing information. I would have liked the book more had it included some actual pictures of this beautiful wine and wine region but if you want to learn about champagne this is the best I've seen on the subject. I'll definitely bring it with me the next time I visit Epernay!

Great book!:
Great book, lots of information on 'le' and 'la' Champagne! For me, it lost one star as 'The Makers' overview is not that comprehensive and consistent as the one in Stevenson's encyclopedia. However, this book is certainly a 'strong buy' - let the bubbles go!